Meet Iris, a happy nine-month-old baby who loves to eat watermelon and eggs and play with her aunt. She lives with her family in rural Guatemala.
Iris has been diagnosed with severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Iris will begin malnutrition treatment on January 19.
While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Iris recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources.
Iris’s parents work hard to provide for their family, but they cannot afford the treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $437 to assist Iris in her recovery so that she can grow up to be happy, healthy, and strong.
Iris’s mother hopes her “daughter always has the health necessary to have good grades in school.”